In its upcoming holiday concerts, the Vancouver Master Chorale will top off Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with the one element that’s always been sorely missing from this dramatic tale: music.
“What a profoundly moving story, with music in its title — but no actual music,” writes contemporary composer Benedict Sheehan, in an introduction to his new musical treatment of the classic story. Dickens’ novel was first published in 1843. Sheehan’s musical approach debuted in 2022.
The 105-voice Vancouver Master Chorale will share Sheehan’s setting of “A Christmas Carol” during its upcoming holiday concerts. Rebecca Hoffman, the recent star of “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” at downtown’s Magenta Theater, will give a dramatic reading of the tale. Her narrative will be underpinned by Sheehan’s creative musical approach, blending fresh, modern sounds with traditional carols and songs that date back hundreds of years.
“It is fiendishly difficult to sing but so worth it,” said Jana Hart, Master Chorale’s artistic director.
